Action and inaction

What is needed is not just a tweeted resolve, but introspection and commitment to fundamental change within ourselves

Tragedies cannot be quantified. Sixty-nine or 400 or a third bombing in one month can never describe the magnitude of the pain, and we should not try to explain our loss through numbers. The loss of a parent, the suffering of a child, the agony of a loved one, is a gnawing hole for a lifetime, not a statistic. Some things can never be explained by a mere number.

As many experts and pundits will try to find reasons in why monsters, maniacs and barbarians shatter our lives, hopes and dreams, and will analyse in detail why such a tragedy unfolded in our midst, and engulfed, yet again, those who are innocent of any crime, such words will bring little comfort to those who lost everything. The statements of condemnation and profile pictures on facebook of Minar-e-Pakistan are all probably well-intentioned but are destined to fall short of what is needed. What is needed is not just a tweeted resolve, but introspection and a real commitment to a fundamental change within ourselves.

The security agencies and the intelligence community will look for signs that they missed, signals that should have been heeded, and I hope they are honest with themselves as they seek missteps. But, we ought to carry out a similar honest activity with ourselves. Let us not take the easy road of blaming the outsiders and play the role of miserable recipients of a global conspiracy. The fateful evening of March 27, 2016 in Lahore is not just a failure of security apparatus, it is also a collective failure on our part. Our inability to stand up for justice and fundamental human values, will continue to consume our most precious. The best time to ask ourselves tough questions about justice and equality for all, was a decade ago — the second best time is now.

The question to ask ourselves is not just why, but why not. When leaders of political parties and their armed thugs tell the government that they should be ready for consequences of carrying out justice against a confessed and proud killer, and torch public and private property, why don’t we tell them that we stand with the courts and the government, regardless of our political affiliation. When a group of men, who have little support in the elected assemblies, bully the government and promise armed agitation just because they do not like a bill that provides a lifeline to abused women, why don’t we stand up and say that there is nothing to argue or debate when it comes to justice and human dignity. When shopkeepers sell hate in Hafiz centre, why don’t we support those who stand up for justice? When sermons of hate are broadcast on loudspeakers, why is it only a dozen people protesting outside one of the biggest mosques in Islamabad? Where are the rest of us?

And why don’t we, once and for all, tell everyone, including our own selves, that all citizens are equal under the law? It may be hard for us to accept that those who may not share our particular sect or faith are equal citizens and equal human beings, but we can no longer afford to stay indifferent.

The dignified citizens of Lahore, similar to citizens of other cities stuck with these calamities, showed the finest of human values by donating blood in long queues and offered support services in all forms. It is these fundamental human values of citizenship and kindness that we need to uphold in the face of discrimination, hatred and prejudice. We have to confront the demons within us and confront hatred, discrimination and prejudice in all of its manifestations.

When the books of history are written, and the dark chapters of our present are read, the future generations will judge us, not only on our actions, but also our inaction.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2016.

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